A seven-month project to restore the popular Hurricane Ridge Road in Olympic National Park is scheduled to begin Monday (April 21st).

Park officials recognize the inconvenience that road construction will bring, said Sue McGill, acting park superintendent, but officials were able to condense the work into one summer instead of two, as originally planned.

The $12 million project will resurface Hurricane Ridge Road along with the parking lot at the visitors center and numerous pullouts along the route. Also included are repairs to three sections of road that were severely damaged in the December storm and replacement of conduits that carry utility lines to Hurricane Ridge.

Delays of up to 20 minutes can be expected this summer, and pilot cars will guide motorists through some construction areas. During evenings and weekends, motorists may encounter temporary traffic signs and signals.

NOTE: For safety, bicycles will not be permitted on the road from May 5 until mid-October.